Though Serendis' strange symptoms would not endanger Rosen's safety or impede his magical studies, he still had to deal with them as they arose.

"Master, here is the painting I promised you. Shall I take it upstairs and hang it on the wall now?" Rosen asked respectfully.

"Oh Rosen, my dear pupil! You are truly a man of your word. Yes, bring it up and hang it on the wall right away. Let me lead the way," Serendis replied enthusiastically, skipping up the stairs like an excited little girl.

Once again on the second floor, Rosen no longer felt the same trepidation as yesterday. Following Serendis' lead, he brought the painting to the bedside. That was when he noticed some details he had overlooked before.

On the right wall beside the wooden bed, a small hidden door was concealed in the corner. One would not notice it unless looking closely, as the angle obscured it from view.

The little door was shut tight, concealing the interior. But the polished and worn door handle, and paler floorboards beneath, hinted that it saw frequent use.

'I wonder what could be inside?' Rosen thought with curiosity. But as it was Serendis' home, he did not pry deeper into something his host had not explained.

Seemingly oblivious to Rosen's distraction, Serendis remained excited. "Hang it here, hang it here! Oh wait, let me unveil it first and see how it turned out."

The moment the cloth was lifted, Serendis gasped softly, a hand flying to her mouth.

"Is this really me? I never imagined I could look so beautiful," she said, blushing as she gazed at the portrait in awe for some time. Then she whirled around and gripped Rosen's hands tightly, face alight with emotion.

"My dear pupil, you have a gift for capturing beauty in your eyes," she declared.

"This painting has shown me myself anew. I never realized my body could be so lovely. But alas..." Her eyes dimmed and her tone grew melancholy.

"I am but a mortal. Time's arrow flies swift, and the bird of youth will soon take flight from my shoulder."

"As youth fades, my taut smooth skin will wrinkle and sag. My breasts will wither to empty husks. My clear eyes will cloud and yellow. My figure will grow bloated and hideous."

"I will be buried in cold damp earth for rats and worms to gnaw my rotting corpse..."

Serendis' somber monologue trailed off dreamily.

"Yes, life is fleeting," Rosen remarked, voice laden with emotion.

Serendis' eyes flashed with surprise. "My young pupil, the bird of youth has barely alighted upon your shoulder. Your life has hardly begun to bloom. How can you make such mournful remarks?"

Though Rosen could not speak of his past life, even this brief existence had allowed him to witness much withering of life.

He sighed, "There are many things in this world one can comprehend without experiencing personally."

"I've seen flower buds snatched by death's shears, blossoms trampled at their peak, and the desolation after petals fall."

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"All people desire beauty. A fair face, a hardy body - these are treasures of the heart. To watch helplessly as one's treasures trickle away between clenched fingers... it naturally wounds the spirit."

Serendis froze, gazing intently at Rosen. For a long, long while her eyes remained fixed, until finally they resumed motion - yet now glistened with a crystalline teardrop at the corner.

"My dear pupil, you are so wise. Your future accomplishments will surely illuminate the Golden Land," she declared.

Her praise drew Rosen from his melancholic mood. He gave a small smile. "You flatter me too much, Master. Anyone could feel similarly; I merely expressed it clearly."

Noticing a protruding wooden slat on the wall behind the bed, likely for hanging art, Rosen lifted up the painting and placed it there. "Does this spot work, Master?"

"Move it a little left... there, perfect. Here are some nails, be sure to secure it well. I'd rather not be brained by it falling on me in my sleep," she jested, handing them over.

Once the painting was hung, Serendis stood admiring it fondly, as if she could never look enough. Only when prompted by Rosen did she finally tear herself away and follow him downstairs for lunch.

"Mmm, though tasty, my dear pupil, this meal lacks the heart you put into your cooking," she remarked between bites.

Rosen thought inwardly, "Well of course, since you told me not to bother!" Though he showed only deference outwardly.

"Please forgive my oversight, Master. I will cook all meals personally from now on."

"Of course, father loves his daughter best," Serendis declared unexpectedly. She leaned over the table and planted a swift peck upon Rosen's lips. "A small reward from daughter to father."

Rosen was rather exasperated. "Master, even in affection, a daughter should not kiss her father's lips, but his forehead."

Serendis blinked innocently. "But we aren't truly family. As your mentor, a kiss of fondness for my dear pupil is harmless."

Rosen was confounded, and could only silently nibble his bread.

After the meal, as usual Rosen cleaned up while Serendis looked on, occasionally reminding him, "Use your mage hands more. And remember, as figments of imagination, you can have two, three, even countless hands, not just one."

Rosen's mind stirred and he turned to thank her sincerely for the advice. Focusing his will, he manifested two mage hands easily.

Continuing to three hands exceeded his limit, however, and one lost its grip, sending a ceramic teacup crashing down.

"Don't be discouraged, failure births success. But do be careful, as I am not wealthy," Serendis chided gently.

"I will be mindful, Master." Rosen resolved to practice with pebbles as substitutes during his free time.

"Oh, one more thing. Fetch a new bathing tub and heat some water. I wish to bathe this afternoon."

Rosen's heart sank. Penniless as he was, how could he afford a tub? His painting money hadn't come through yet. Still, there must be a way. He could always ask Harry for a loan, at least he was reliable.

Of course, none of these thoughts showed on his deferential face. "Yes, Master. I understand."

"And fetch me some new clothes while you're out. My wardrobe has become tattered, hardly presentable for going out."

"Yes, Master."

"One more thing - buy a screen to partition off a bathing area upstairs. It will help keep in the warmth."

"Yes, Master."

"Oh, and wash the dirty clothes upstairs thoroughly. Once dry, thoroughly warm my undergarments over coals to dispel ill humors. Take care cleaning the outer clothes to avoid pilling the cotton."

"Yes, Master. I understand."

Serendis yawned lazily. "Well then, my dear pupil, I will retire for a nap now. Wake me once all is prepared."

"Yes, Master."

As she headed upstairs, Rosen took a deep breath, suppressed his irritation, swiftly washed the dishes, and bolted out the door at top speed towards Harry's Hound House, to beg for funds.

Too many items to afford through portraits alone - he had no choice but to ask Harry for a loan.

Meanwhile, in the second floor window of Serendis' home, the beautiful maiden with cascading fiery red tresses leaned upon the sill, watching Rosen race away.

A stern female voice suddenly rang out in the air. "Alice! This is too much! You'll scare him off like this!"

The maiden laughed lightly. "Anna, I see a burning passion for magic in his eyes. He won't abandon his studies over some trivial tasks."

"I know you're testing his character and capabilities, and I agree it's wise. But don't push too hard, too fast. He's just a boy, not our father."

"But we agreed, when it's my time I'm in charge," the maiden insisted playfully.

"Hmph!"

"Want to fight it out?"

"Boring!"

"Oh Anna, if you're really worried for him, use your time to comfort him more."

"I don't care how you do it, I don't mind at all."

"I regret our arrangement!"

"Tee hee~"